Spring Tips

Spring + Ayurveda

 

Springtime, in Minnesota especially, is a process of thawing the solid heavy snow and ice to prepare for freely-moving Summer energy.  This season is associated with Kapha dosha’s cold, damp, heavy energy.  Too much Kapha energy can show up in our bodies and minds as allergies, congestion, weight gain, lethargy, excessive sleep, and depression.  The doshas cycle throughout the day, with Kapha being most present from 6-10 am and 6-10 pm.  These are transition times to awaken from sleep and relax back into sleep.  Kapha is a slower-moving, calm energy so Ayurveda suggests avoiding big meals during these hours

Feeling heavy?

Bring in lighter energy!

 

Focus on invigorating and energizing breath practices that break up stagnation in the chest like Breath of Joy

  • Take time for deep breaths that expand rib cage

  • Incorporate warm, freshly cooked, light foods to cleanse and clear heaviness

    • Try warm grains + legumes mixed with with raw greens and sprouts

  • Add foods + spices that help heat and dry the body

    • Pungent spices like Turmeric, Cumin, Thyme, Sage, Black Pepper, Mustard Seeds

    • Pungent veggies like Onion, Horseradish, Ginger and Garlic

    • Bitter cooked veggies like Arugula, Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussel sprouts, Kale, Dandelion greens, Mustard greens, Radishes

    • Astringent herbs like Cinnamon, Nettles and Sage

  • Enjoy room temp or hot beverages

    • Try herbal teas like tulsi, dandelion, nettle 

    • Try small amounts of Green or Black tea to lighten energy

How we balance heavy, cold
Kapha energy

 

Try steady, strengthening, vigorous, asana with longer-held postures. The goal is to break a sweat! 

  • Move your body in any way that will bring joy + vibrancy to your day. 

  • Yoga Poses to reduce Kapha’s heavy, damp, cold energy:

    • Sun Salutes

    • Heat building poses like Chair, Extended Side Angle, Warrior poses 

    • Expansive poses like Triangle + Half Moon

    • Backbends like Locust + Camel

  • Try a walking meditation in nature to invite lively + energizing energy instead of sitting or lying down for meditation

  • Consider a seasonal cleanse to remove toxins (called ama in Ayurveda)

  • Oils to lift and brighten energy - Bergamot, Cedarwood, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint, Grapefruit, Lime, Sweet Orange

Ayurveda’s
3 Doshas

 

According to Ayurvedic philosophy the entire cosmos is an interplay of the energies of the five great elements—Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Vata, pitta and kapha are combinations and permutations of these five elements that manifest as patterns present in all creation. 

Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement — composed of Space and Air. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membranes. In balance, vata promotes creativity and flexibility. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety. 

Pitta expresses as the body’s metabolic system — made up of Fire and Water. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature. In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy. 

Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure — bones, muscles, tendons — and provides the “glue” that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. In balance, kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness. Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy. 

This information is excerpted from Dr. Vasant Lad’s website, full of incredible information on Ayurveda. 

https://www.ayurveda.com/resources/general-information